What is "safety razor"

Razor \Ra"zor\ (r[=a]"z[~e]r), n. [OE. rasour, OF. rasur, LL. rasor: cf. F. rasoir, LL. rasorium. See Raze, v. t., Rase, v. t.]

1. A keen-edged knife of peculiar shape, used in shaving the hair from the face or the head; also called a straight razor. ``Take thee a barber's razor.''
   --Ezek. v. 1.

2. a device used for shaving, having a replaceable blade with a very sharp edge; also called safety razor. Also a similar device, made of plastic, in which the blade is neither replaceable nor can be sharpened, intended to be discarded after the blade dulls -- called a disposable razor.

3. (Zo["o]l.) A tusk of a wild boar. Razor fish. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. A small Mediterranean fish ( Coryph[ae]na novacula), prized for the table.

   2. The razor shell.

      Razor grass (Bot.), a West Indian plant ( Scleria scindens), the triangular stem and the leaves of which are edged with minute sharp teeth.

      Razor grinder (Zo["o]l.), the European goat-sucker.

      Razor shell (Zo["o]l.), any marine bivalve shell belonging to Solen and allied genera, especially Solen ensis (or Ensatella ensis), and Solen Americana, which have a long, narrow, somewhat curved shell, resembling a razor handle in shape. Called also razor clam, razor fish, knife handle.

      Razor stone. Same as Novaculite.

      Razor strap, or razor strop, a strap or strop used in sharpening razors.

n. A razor, designed for safety, that protects the skin from all but the very edge of the blade (as opposed to a straight razor).

n. a razor with a guard to prevent deep cuts in the skin

A safety razor is a shaving implement with a protective device positioned between the edge of the blade and the skin. The initial purpose of these protective devices was to reduce the level of skill needed for injury-free shaving, thereby reducing the reliance on professional barbers for that service and raising grooming standards.

The term was first used in a patent issued in 1880, for a razor in the basic contemporary configuration with a handle attached at right angles to a head in which a removable blade is placed (although this form predated the patent).

Plastic disposable razors, and razors with replaceable blade attachments, are in common use today. Razors commonly include one to five cutting edges (but sometimes up to seven).